REFORESTATION OF NEW DEVELOPED URBAN SETTLEMENTS, TOWNS AND

SUBURBS IN NAMIBIA
By K.S. Muhembo

1. Introduction
Reforestation is defined as, the act of planting trees on an area of land that has become
empty or spoiled (Cambridge Dictionary Press, 2021). Thus, the article addresses the
fact of urban development where trees are cleared in order to construct new development,
with a special reference to residential areas. It seeks to address the advantages of
reforestation and the effect thereof. Urban reforestation is therefore in this article
redefined as, replanting of trees in a newly constructed residential area that has been
cleared for the purpose of constructing inhabitants residences. Urban forestry is the care
and management of tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the
urban environment (United Nation Climate Technology Centre and Network, 2021). A
forest management activity by urban forestry is done by planting trees and maintaining
them within cities, suburbs and towns. With reference to Namibian’s urban areas, urban
reforestation is observed to have no to little occurrence both in the city, towns and new
constructed suburbs. It is in this connection that, it is significant to introduce urban
reforestation within the framework of newly developed and developing urban settlements
in Namibia.

2. Some Benefits of Urban Reforestation

There are many benefits of urban reforestation to the inhabitants of the urban areas.
Some of these benefits are highlighted in Sander et al., 2010; Li and Saphores, 2012;
Escobedo et al., 2015 as cited in Pataki et al. (2021). Both of these researchers agreed
in theirs studies that proximity to urban vegetation may increase property values.
Therefore, urban reforestation may be integrated within the construction of houses within
residential areas of newly developed urban areas. It was further found in Nowak and
Crane, 2000; McPherson et al., 2005; Ray, 2005 as cited in Pataki et al. (2021), that early
studies of urban tree ecosystem services emphasised rates of carbon (C) sequestration
and air pollution reduction within the urban areas in which trees are cleared.

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The findings in these studies confirms that, trees in urban areas may improve human
thermal comfort locally both through evaporatively cooling and humidifying urban air, and
through shading of residential areas. Zhao et al., (2010) among other findings relating to
urban reforestation found that, urban forestry can help offsetting 18.57% carbon emitted
by the industries in urban areas and also store substantial amount of carbon, equivalent
to 1.75 times the amount of annual carbon emitted by industries energy being used in the
cities. These findings are huge mitigation factors on the effects of long-term
environmental damages relating to ozone layer and the release of green house gases
into the atmosphere. Thus, urban reforestation has a major benefit not only to the
residents of a town or city but to the nation and globally.

In one of the study conducted by Lui and Li, (2011) in Shenyang, China, it was discovered
that, the urban forestry helped store 337,000 tC ($ 13.88 million in monetary value), at a
carbon sequestration rate of 29,000 t/yr ($1.19 million). These studies cited hereinabove
attempts to demonstrate the significant of urban forest. Therefore, urban reforestation,
signifies the magnitude of its benefits towards urban residents, not only to the target
communities but to the inhabitants within the ecosystem as well as to the nation and
globally at large.

3. Namibia Environmental Management Act of 2007 (No. 7 of 2007)

There are several laws in Namibia promulgated to mitigate the effects of human activities
on the environment. For the purpose of this discussion this article examines the
Environmental Management Act 7 of 2007 as law related to environmental management
in Namibia.

Some of the aims of the Environmental Management Act (EMA) herein referred to as
EMA (for the sake of convenience in this article) are to: Promote the sustainable
management of the environment and the use of natural resources by establishing
principles for decision making on matters affecting the environment; and to provide for a
process of assessment and control of activities which may have significant effects on the
environment. The Act provides for sustainable management of the environment and the

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regulation of activities that affects the environment. In this connection, clearing land for
the purpose of urban development such as the construction of residential settlements,
can be viewed as activities affecting the environment. Therefore, these activities can be
sustainably managed through reforestation herein referred to as urban reforestation.

Section 1 of the EMA (No. 7 of 2007) defines activity as, “a physical work that a proponent
proposes to construct, operate, modify, decommission or abandon or an activity that a
proponent proposes to undertake”. This means construction which may include the
construction of residential areas within the urban areas supposed to be regulated since it
relates and affects the environment. This article suggests that construction of urban
residential areas must be monitored by encouraging reforestation or urban forest as
provided for in Section 3(2)(b) of the EMA (No. 7 of 2007), which provides that, community
involvement in natural resources management and the sharing of benefits arising from
the use of the resources, must be promoted and facilitated.

In relation to reforestation of urban land, interested parties seeking to regenerate the

urban forest must be encouraged to do so. This is provided for in section 3(2)(c) of the
EMA (No. 7 of 2007) which further provides that, the participation of all interested and
affected parties must be promoted and decisions must take into account the interest,
needs and values of interested and affected parties.

Section 3(2) (d) of the EMA (No. 7 of 2007) further provides that, equitable access to
environmental resources must be promoted and the functional integrity of ecological
systems must be taken into account to ensure the sustainability of the systems and to
prevent harmful effects.

Having briefly reviewed the law governing environmental management in Namibia among
other laws, the article suggests that local communities be allowed to regenerate their
urban forest. This may create employment and business opportunities for the local
communities in urban areas. It may also encourage youth to embark on further studies in
the field of environmental studies which includes reforestation, environmental

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management in urban areas among other environmental studies. For scholars,
legislatures and researchers, urban reforestation may help those who craft regulations,
amend laws and policies governing environmental reforestation in urban areas in
Namibia.

4. Reforestation Suggestions in Namibia

Lack of forest in urban areas have a negative effect on urban climatic condition. Some of
the effects of lack of urban forest includes but not limited to:
 Strong wind which creates dust in the residential areas causing undesirable
whether condition. This climatic conditions can be observed in Walvis Bay,
Okahandja and Rundu newly mass housing project.
 Strong wind that causing damages to shacks by spreading fires form one shack to
another in the informal settlement. This can be viewed from the recent Twaloloka
settlement fire at the coast where thousands of residents were left homeless. The
wind also causes damages by blowing roofs off newly build residential houses.
 Soil erosion that causes bust pipes in municipal areas which lead to the interruption
of services. E.g. disruption of constant water, electricity supply and sewerage
services.
According to Galle (2020) in her article titled “Urban deforestation and what we can do
about it” states that, urban deforestation as a result of human activity not only decreases
the health and quality of life in our cities, but it also worsens the effects of an unpredictable
changing climate in cities and towns.

This paper therefore suggest the following as strategies to reforest Namibia’s urban
areas: Firstly, urban reforestation must be integrated into the EMA to mitigate the effect
of global warming and climatic change. This may be done by compelling developers to
include reforestation plan into a new residential development project. One of the
suggestion is, planting a tree on each new residential erf or newly build house.

Secondly all environmental projects aimed at urban reforestation should be funded under
the funds provided for in the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia Act 13 of 2001.

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Section 4(a) (d) of the EIFNA provides that, the objects of the Fund are to procure moneys
for the maintenance of an endowment fund that will generate income in perpetuity and to
allocate such income to activities and projects aimed at promoting; the sustainable use
and management of environmental and natural resources, and economic improvements
in the use of natural resources for sustainable rural and urban development.

This is supported by Galle (2020) who suggests that one way in which urban reforestation
may be achieved is by holding local authorities accountable for the deforestation that
happens on their watch. This may be achieved by crafting regulations which can be made
under EMA. This regulation should among other things include the following:
 Compelling residential area developer/constructor to include an environmental
management plan (reforestation plan) into their residential construction plan or
urban development plan.
Galle (2020) further suggests that, government should take advantage of rapid advances
in forestry management technology.
 Provide opportunities to third parties (private individuals or firms) to reforest the
newly developed residential area within the framework of reforestation.
Encourages local residents, youth groups or firms to procure seedlings and to reforest
urban areas within their local communities.
 Involvement of the municipal/local authority services working with recreation and
environmental departments.
Galle (2020) states that, “with the advent of industry 4.0 technologies like artificial
intelligence and the internet of things, cities can use technology to both monitor and
manage their urban forests”

These among other strategies will create many benefits to local residents, which may
range from; business opportunity in forestry, employment creation for youth, beautification
of the environment and reductions in dust and soil erosion created by run-offs during rain
seasons. Galle (2020) refers to this as, urban trees (forest) protect our cities from the
effects of harsher storms including dusts and more intense heat waves, creating more
resilient cities in the process.

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Having observed the practice of urban deforestation for the purpose of developing a
residential areas, as academicians, and communities we should address it. This practices
if left unattended will contribute to a more devastating effects of our environment such as;
the destruction of roads, interruption of municipal services such as pipe bust, blockage
and other disruptions caused by soil erosion. Other effects include the emission of
greenhouse gases, and urban shack fire which has not only left many shack dwellers
homeless but also caused death and injuries among many Namibians living in urban
areas informal settlements.

5. Namibia Urban Reforestation Pilot Projects

There are suggested pilot projects in Namibia, which are planned to be implemented in
2022. The first of its kind is planned to begin in Okahandja Osona Village Project. This
project is planned to be conducted in 2022 by a group of youth from Okahandja. The
group was established late 2021 and involved in the identification of urban areas for
reforestation. Osona Village was identified by the group as the first pilot project in which
urban reforestation may be implemented. This however is being delayed due to
consultations and obtainment of permissions from various stakeholders to start the
project.

The focus of the group is replanting fruit trees; such as mangoes, guavas, paw-paws,
lemons, oranges, and other fruit trees which may contribute to food security. The group
plans to plant one tree at each newly constructed house in Osona Village. However, some
residence that chooses to plant decorative plants or more than one fruit tree will be
required to pay a fee to be determined by the group members. The group also seeks the
following donations from private firms, government departments as well as municipalities:
 A place at which they can begin the growing and rearing of seedlings
 A water reservoirs, water pipes, tapes and watering cans and a fence
 Seedlings and seeds
 Training on planting and caring of seedlings
For any enquiry or donations please do not hesitate to contact: The group leader: Ms. De
wee F. 0817151134 or Mr. Steven S. cell No. 0813039987; email: schappir@gmail.com

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 6. Reference List
Cambridge Dictionary Press, 2021. Reforestation. Retrieved date, 21 December, 2021,
Available at, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/reforestation

CTCN, (n.d). Urban forestry. UN City, Marmorvej 51, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Environmental Management Act 7 of 2007

Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia Act 13 of 2001

Galle, N. (2020). Urban deforestation and what we can do about it. Accessed date, 02
January 2022, available at, https://medium.com/green-city-watch/urban-
deforestation-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-d9a404bfa840

Liu, C. and Li, X., (2011). Carbon storage and sequestration by urban forests in
Shenyang, China. Urban Forestry and urban Greening, 11(2), 121-128.

Pataki D. E. et al. (2021). The Benefits and Limits of Urban Tree Planting for
Environmental and Human Health. Retrieved date, 21 December 2021, available
at, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2021.603757/full

Zhao, M., Kong, Z., Escobedo and F. J., Gao, J. (2010). Impacts of urban forests on
Off-setting carbon emissions from industrial energy use in Hangzhou, China.
Journal of Environmental Management, 91 (4), 806-813.